Early Music Now is a one-hour program showcasing music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and early Baroque: from sonorous medieval chant and polyphony to delightful Renaissance madrigals, dances, and consort music, to magnificent Baroque cantatas and keyboard music. Host Sara Schneider brings knowledge, charm and passion to her presentation of seven hundred years of music history. From the latest recordings by today's vibrant young ensembles, to classics from the dawn of the early music revival, Early Music Now makes this repertoire accessible and enjoyable to a wide audience.
A Mass for Monsieur de Mauroy: Marc-Antoine Charpentier was a French composer who lived during the reign of King Louis XIV and served as house composer to the Duchess of Guise and chapel master of Sainte Chapelle in Paris. We'll hear a Mass for voices and instruments he composed c.1691 and dedicated to a mysterious patron. Herve Niquet directs Le Concert Spirituel.
Recent Releases: We're exploring new recordings on this week's show, including music by Lodovico Viadana performed by The Viadana Collective. The Gesualdo Six also has a new CD called Queen of Hearts with music that venerates the Virgin Mary while also honoring earthly duchesses and queens such as Anne of Brittany and Anne Boleyn.
For All the Saints: Our show this week celebrates All Saints' Day with music in honor of Maurice, patron saint of the Duchy of Savoy, St. Katherine of Alexandria, and St. Michael the Archangel. We'll also hear settings of the motet Tu es Petrus in honor of St. Peter by Victoria and Palestrina. Performances by The Binchois Consort, Weser Renaissance Bremen, and The Gabrieli Consort and Players are included.